Bird-brained: Neighbors rally against Flint ban on backyard chickens

FLINT, MI -- Given the city's problems with blight, Roxanne Adair's backyard chickens should be way down the pecking order for Flint ordinance inspectors, several neighbors told the City Council today, June 23.

"Backyard chickens are one of the most (appropriate) pets for a small yard," said David Derby, one of several residents to speak in support of Adair, the city's largest urban farmer, who was ticketed this month for keeping a small flock of chickens in her backyard.

Derby called Adair one of the city's "best and hardest-working residents," and several council members said they were willing to look at changing Flint's prohibition against raising poultry in residential areas.

"I heard loud and clear about the chickens," said Councilwoman Vicki VanBuren. "(But) it's going to take some kind of structure."

Adair, who has been given 30 days to relocate the hens from her property in city's College and Cultural area, said Flint should suspend enforcement of the ordinance forbidding chickens and develop a replacement in the meantime."

"We've been asking you to change this ordinance for eight years," she said of the city regulation that's been in place since 1968. "This city is such a different place than it was in 1968."

Flint is one of cities in Genesee County that does not allow people to raise chickens in their yards. The most recent attempt to change the city ordinance that prohibits it died when the City Council voted it down in 2010.

Councilman Joshua Freeman said he supported changing the ordinance then and still does, and Councilman Sheldon Neeley said he would add the subject to the next council Legislative Affairs Committee meeting in two weeks.

The subject of backyard chickens could be also be revisited as city planners consider changing ordinances to put them in alignment with Flint's new master plan.

Adair has been one of Flint's urban farming pioneers, helping to start the Flint River Farm, which occupies multiple city lots on Beach Street, between 12th Street and Wellington Avenue.

City spokesman Jason Lorenz has confirmed that Flint officials have given Adair, who has fewer than 10 chickens, 30 days to resolve her zoning issue.